I add this quick note on the scale of the Vanadium market itself. It is a market that no one has ever cared much about. However the potential of the Vanadium Redox battery is such that it must impact this market at the scale of this market. Imagine every square meter of solar energy production needing a pound of vanadium storage.
I do not know the actual numbers and it is not yet worth digging up and calculating, but the reports are suggestive and the pound per meter figure is likely close enough.
However we want to calculate it all, the result is the same. An exponential increase in solar demand over the next decade will quickly swallow the supply.
Wind power also needs this form of storage as does any intermittent source.
Global Vanadium Market to Exceed 130 Thousand Metric Tons by 2015, According to New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.
Riding on increasing steel output, global demand for vanadium is on the rise. Growth in demand is also due to an increasing trend towards micro alloying of steel. Global vanadium market is projected to reach 130.2 thousand metric tons by 2015.
San Jose, CA (PRWEB) October 29, 2008 -- Metallurgical application, particularly steel manufacture, represents the largest end-use market for vanadium. Vanadium market is expected to follow the cyclical nature of the steel industry and new applications in other industries are likely to drive demand for vanadium. Europe and Asia-Pacific account for a over 60% of the global vanadium market, as stated by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.
Steel manufacturing represents the largest end use market for vanadium, accounting for a share of over 87% of the total vanadium sale worldwide. Global demand for vanadium is projected to continue, with Chinese steel consumption not showing ant signs of an immediate slowing down. Added to that, steel output and consumption in other emerging markets is also increasing at a rapid pace. Currently, Europe stands to be the largest vanadium market in the world, with a share of over 32%. However, Asia-Pacific is all set to be the major consumer of vanadium in the near future. Vanadium consumption in Asia-Pacific is expected to be over 36 thousand metric tons by 2012, making the region the largest consumer of the metal.
Some of the applications of vanadium-based products that are under development could have a positive effect on demand for the metal. Select applications under development include vanadium steels for high-speed, high-energy autogenous welding, vanadium steels in electric power generating units to facilitate cost-effective power generation and to enhance the efficiency, vanadium redox flow battery for large scale energy storage systems, vanadium alloys for compressors of aero-engine gas turbines and vanadium high carbon grey cast irons for drums and brake discs.
Leading global and regional players operating in the market include Chengde Xinxin Vanadium and Titanium Co, Evraz Group, Highveld Steel and Vanadium Corp, Strategic Minerals Corporation, Stratcor Inc., OAO Chusovoy Metallurgical Works, McKenzie Bay International Ltd., Nippon Denko Co, Panzhihua Iron and Steel Group, Shieldalloy Metallurgical Corporation, Treibacher Industries AG, Vanadium Tula, Windimurra Vanadium Limited and Xstrata Plc.
The report titled "Vanadium: A Global Strategic Business Report" published by Global Industry Analysts, Inc., provides a comprehensive review of market trends, drivers, product profile, players, competition, end-use applications, recent developments, mergers, acquisitions, and other strategic industry activities. Analysis is presented for major geographic markets including North America, Japan, France, Germany, the UK, Italy, Spain, Russia, Asia-Pacific and South Africa for the period 1991-2015. Analytics are provided in terms of end-use segments including Steel (Carbon Steel, Stainless & Heat Resisting Steel, Full Alloy Steel, High-Strength Low-Alloy Steel, Tool Steel, and Others), Cast Irons, Super alloys, Alloys, Chemical & Ceramic Uses (Catalysts and Pigments), and Others.
For more details about this research report, please visit
This is why I favour sodium/sulphur batteries. Materials are cheap and plentiful. They use less volume, (I think), and like redox flow they cannot self discharge (below their operating temperature), so could be used on a seasonal basis.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your thoughts on future supply issues in the vanadium market.
ReplyDeleteThere are a number of articles and videos on the subject at www.reedresources.com - a site hosted by a company that is making a big investment in the vanadium market.
Vanadium price is relatively low, equates to stepping aboard a ground-floor opportunity with unlimited potential for financial growth.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.vanadiumsite.com